TLDR
- Islam Makhachev defended his decision not to wait for injured Shavkat Rakhmonov to recover before defending his welterweight title
- Rakhmonov has been sidelined since December 2024 with knee injuries and won’t return until February 2027
- The Kazakh fighter suffered multiple injuries including meniscus and ACL tears, requiring two surgeries
- Makhachev defended his title against Ian Garry in August 2026 after waiting nine months between fights
- The champion plans to return before Ramadan in February 2027 and acknowledges Rakhmonov may be his toughest challenge
Sources: yardbarker.com | yardbarker.com | mmasucka.com
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has responded to criticism from undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, who complained about being passed over for a title shot. The champion made it clear he wasn’t going to wait over a year for an injured fighter to recover.
Rakhmonov recently gave an interview while wearing a large knee brace, stating he deserved the first shot at Makhachev’s welterweight title. The Kazakh fighter has been out of action since defeating Ian Machado Garry in December 2024.
“He gave an interview with a huge brace on his knee. He says he wants to fight,” Makhachev said in an appearance on Match TV. “He says I should have chosen him. Chose him? Then wait for 1.5 years for him to recover?”
Rakhmonov’s injury troubles began when he suffered a meniscus and partial ACL tear during training camp before his December 2024 fight with Garry. Despite the injury, he went ahead with the bout and won by unanimous decision.
That decision kept him out of action for all of 2025. He reinjured himself in January 2026 during rehabilitation, requiring another surgery with a nine-month projected recovery time.
😅🇰🇿 Islam Makhachev responds to Shavkat Rakhmonov who wasn't happy with him not being mentioned as the next contender:
"He gave an interview with a huge brace on his knee. He wants me to choose him and then wait for 1.5 years for him to recover?"
🎥 MATCH TV pic.twitter.com/u5ayP5D7zz
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 9, 2026
Champion Defends His Timeline
Makhachev became welterweight champion in November 2025 by defeating Jack Della Maddalena. He then waited nine months before making his first title defense against Garry at UFC 330 in August 2026.
“I never said that I will not fight him,” Makhachev explained. “In my opinion, Machado Garry is the second-strongest contender in the division. I think Shavkat might be tougher. We’ll see what he can do when he returns.”
The champion pointed out that he was contractually bound to defend his title within a reasonable timeframe. With Rakhmonov injured and out of competition, Garry had the legitimate claim to a title shot.
Rakhmonov’s extended absence led to him being removed from the UFC welterweight rankings entirely. He is expected to return in February 2027, which would mark more than two years away from the octagon.
Fighter Claims Unfair Treatment
In his interview with ALF Global, Rakhmonov questioned how Makhachev earned his welterweight title shot in the first place. The fighter believed his seven straight UFC wins should have earned him the opportunity to fight for the belt when it was held by Maddalena.
“Islam was doing some strange things that I didn’t like,” Rakhmonov said. “The most serious contender, the one who deserved it, was me. Maybe I haven’t fought in a year, but I won seven fights in the UFC.”
Despite his frustrations, Rakhmonov remains confident he can defeat Makhachev when he returns. He believes his striking advantage combined with solid takedown defense would make him the toughest opponent the champion has faced.
Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez has acknowledged that Rakhmonov poses a serious threat. Mendez has said the Kazakh fighter is a level above Garry and could be the most dangerous challenge for his student.
Makhachev is currently recovering from minor injuries sustained during his title defense against Garry. He underwent three MRI scans and had his entire spine checked but found nothing serious.
The champion wants to fight again before Ramadan, which begins in February 2027. That timeline could potentially line up with Rakhmonov’s expected return from injury, setting up the matchup both fighters have discussed.
